Our First Ambassador - Ali Vincent!

Everyone here at Girl Power 2 Cure is doing the signature Ali "jump" in the air! We are thrilled to be working with Ali Vincent, the first female winner of The Biggest Loser, as our first official "GP2C Ambassador." Not only does she embody resilience, ambition and the power of positive thinking, Ali has a huge heart and has fallen in love with our Rett girls.

Ali with Oaklynn who has Rett Syndrome

We first met Ali at the Disney Princess Half Marathon where she immediately put on a GP2C shirt and became a member of Team GP2C.

 

Ali shares, "The moms behind Girl Power 2 Cure instantly touched my heart by sharing their daughters' stories, and I knew I wanted to do anything and everything I could do to help." 

Ali has added information about GP2C and Rett Syndrome on the Ali Gives section of her website, and is going to help us grow Gardens of Hope around the country.

"Girl Power 2 Cure allows opportunities for everyone to get involved," says Ali.  "I advocate finding ways to feel empowered through growing/building strength and confidence so true beauty can shine through. I can't think of a better way than growing a Garden of Hope within your community or wearing the GP2C flower on your running shirt to remind us that through small acts of kindness, smiles can bloom on little girls faces everywhere."

Like the title of her new book, "Believe It, Be It," Ali is ready to also believe in the power to cure Rett Syndrome and wants to play a big role in making that dream come true.

She says, "I am passionate about helping to bring awareness to Rett Syndrome and raise funds to support continued research. Research has already proven that it's not an IF-a-cure-is-possible, it is a WHEN-a-cure-will-be-available."

Thank you for believing in our Rett Girls Ali! We look forward to lots of great work together in the months ahead.

National Volunteer Service Week: Welcome Mimi!

We'd like to take this opportunity during National Volunteer Week to introduce you to our new Volunteer Coordinator, Mimi Burns!

Mimi serves on our Mothers' Advisory Board and is a stay-at-home mother of two. Her oldest child, Sophia, has Rett Syndrome.  She is passionate about raising awareness for Rett Syndrome and doing everything she can to bring together volunteers of all ages and locations.

Mimi says, "My goal is to help raise awareness, to make friend connections for Rett Girls, and to give everyone the hand they need to fundraise, which holds the key to a cure for the thousands of girls affected by Rett Syndrome."

Mimi is always trying to find the perfect balance between coordinating Sophia’s extensive medical care, therapies, and home schooling while attending and coordinating the busy life of school, sports and extra curricular activities for younger brother, Calan.  She believes that it is important for both her children to understand the need for and the responsibility of volunteers.  Mimi and Sophia can often be found at her son's school, or out in the community, raising awareness, and giving back when and wherever possible.

Mimi shares her outlook: "In my own way, in my small little corner of the world, I have tried to give back....  To the community which embraces my family and I. To the schools that educate my children. To the strangers who have become friends, who travel along the same path as I do while loving someone who has Rett Syndrome.  I volunteer my hands, my time, talents, and sometimes just my listening ear or a strong shoulder.  I believe we all have the responsibility to volunteer, I am fortunate enough that I can do it with Girl Power 2 Cure, an organization I believe in with my whole heart."

Mimi lives in Crown Point, IN with her two children, Sophia (11) and Calan (9) along with their two dogs, Jade and Zoe.  We are thrilled to have Mimi working with our volunteers!

Ready to volunteer for GP2C? Email Mimi to get started! 

Did you know Girl Power 2 Cure is an official certifying organization of The President's Volunteer Service Award Program?  You can work towards a Bronze, Silver or Gold Service Award with the hours you volunteer for our cause. Learn more about the award criteria here.

Million Dollar Milestone!

Grow baby grow! We have surpassed $1 million raised since our founding in 2006. The GP2C flower is sprouting up by the thousands all over the world, bringing the story of our beautiful, brave girls who are battling Rett Syndrome to light. We couldn't be more proud and more in awe of our families, supporters, donors, event hosts, staff, board and volunteers - from our largest corporate sponsors to the little 2-year-old sporting a flower on her cheek. We are doing this together.

And we have a lot more to do. We have big dreams. Dreams of better awareness, dreams of better education, dreams of treatments and of cures. Most of all, dreams of helping these girls live out THEIR dreams.

The flower is symbolic of something fragile yet powerful in its beauty, strength and ability to weather storms - just like girls living with Rett Syndrome. All of these girls deserve to blossom.

Thank you for your joining in on our fight. Not involved yet? Please reach out. We have lots of flowers to grow!

Click below to visit our photo albums and see what we have been up to!

New Folks!

We are excited to announce the addition of three amazing Rett moms to our Mothers' Advisory Board! What is the MAB? It is a group of dedicated mothers who have daughters with Rett Syndrome who help GP2C in many ways.

First and foremost, they serve as mentors to Rett families who have reached out to Girl Power 2 Cure for support and camaraderie. They help us spread awareness for GP2C and Rett Syndrome. They host really fun events! And, they serve as a sounding board for everything going on here at GP2C.

Let's meet these ladies! (Click here to meet the rest of our team).

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Shelley Schmidt
“I am so excited to be working with Girl Power 2 Cure!  I have a feeling that some exciting things are going to be happening very soon in the Rett world!  Rett Syndrome is what McKenna has, but it is NOT who she is.  Living with Rett Syndrome really helps me put my life into perspective.  I have learned what is truly important.”

Shelley has a BA in Special Education, a Master’s degree in Reading, and she is currently working on a second Master’s degree in ESL.

Shelley has been a special education teacher for 23 years.  She teaches in an inclusive classroom, and she has presented on inclusion at Rett conferences in Illinois.  She lives in Plano, Illinois with her husband, Jim, and their three children, McKenna (17 RS), Bryson (12), and Braylon (4).

visit McKenna's page

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Whitney Cooley
"Being Oaklynn's mom has been amazing. She has taught me so much more than I could ever teach her. These girls are so inspirational and deserve to live the life they have always wanted. Being a part of the Girl Power 2 Cure community has been great. I am so grateful my sister found it shortly after Oaklynn's diagnosis. It has brought me hope, encouragement, strength, and love. Let's help find these girls a cure!"

-Mom of 2 girls and owns a vinyl business in Arizona. Daughter is Oaklynn.

visit Oaklynn's page

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Mimi Burns
When Sophia was diagnosed with Rett in 2006 I was overwhelmed by the (lack of) positive information available, lack of knowledgeable doctors, and the statistics that were presented in regards to quality, and quantity of life.  I felt there was little hope, and so little to believe in.... It was years later when I learned of Girl Power to Cure, and our lives were forever changed.  I learned that there was HOPE!  That we were not alone, and that together~ we CAN make a difference.  A simple invite for Rockin' for Rett gave me an insight to who and what GP2C was really all about.  Strangers welcomed us into their home, shared meals with us, and treated us like family.  My son learned that there are kids, all over the world with a Rett sister~ just like him. Through Girl Power we all formed friendships, and found a place to turn to for strength, guidance, advice, and support. Girl Power 2 Cure is a symbol of strength and courage.  Its flower, a simple reminder that if we believe, anything is possible.  I am honored to be a part of this organization, and am looking forward to meeting and helping other families on this journey. 

Mimi lives in Indiana with her son Calen and daughter Sophia.

visit Sophia's page

Who is GP2C?

You may know us by the flower. You may have been to one of our events or shared a Facebook post. But, just really who is behind Girl Power 2 Cure? We have some amazing people dedicating a lot of time to helping our cause. We want you to meet them!

Once a year, the GP2C Board gathers for an "in-person" board meeting. This year, thanks to the generosity Carlos Bouvier of Films by Design in Jacksonville, FL, we can introduce you to our team through video.


Each week, we will share a new video. Let's start with a little intro so you can get a behind-the-scenes glimpse into our meeting and hear from a few of our dedicated Board Members.



Meet GP2C - Board Meeting 2012 from Girl Power 2 Cure on Vimeo.
Catch a glimpse of the GP2C Team in action at their annual board meeting.

Making a list?

Checking it twice? Please check out all of our fun new items in our GP2C Shop! Nail decals for stocking stuffers, a fun fleece headwarmer, cool tees, an inspiring ornament, and more!

SPECIAL! All orders over $50 placed on 12/12/12 will be discounted 12% AND get FREE SHIPPING!

Click here to start your shopping to support Girl Power 2 Cure and spread awareness wherever you go!

A Special Father's Day Week - Words from the Dads

Happy Father's Day! We asked Rett Dads to be our guest bloggers for this past week on our Rett Girl Blog. RettGirl.org is Girl Power 2 Cure's Family Resource website. We want to be sure to share these great stories with you on the GP2C blog, too! Just because these girls have Rett Syndrome does not mean they are not still "Daddy's Little Girl" .... times one million! To all the Rett Dads - thank you for your special role in raising these very special girls.
Pictured above are some of the dads who will be sharing their thoughts with us this week.

READ POSTS BY THESE GREAT DADS!
Pete Curry, Maisy's dad: "No Laughter? No fun? No thank you."
Bill Hileman, Byrnn's dad: "Be Happy No Matter How Large the Obstacle"
Sean Schenk, Kristyn's dad: "I just have to love Kristyn with all my heart."
Bill Farnum, Ella's dad: So Weak So Strong  
David Luntz, Maryjane's dad: "My Little Country Girl"
Roger Brooks, Juliana's dad: All Our Girls Are Special  
Justin Johnson, Nora's dad: Just a Girl 
Manny Gutierrez, Anna's dad: If Not Just for a Little While